CULTURE OP THE ROSE. 27 



the centre, and the rest diminishing in regular gradation 

 to the edge of the bed, which is surrounded with dwarf 



roses. Thus a mound or hill of bloom is produced with n 



>. 

 very striking and beautiful effect. 



Unfortunately, the severe cold and sudden changes of 

 the Northern States, and especially of New England, are 

 very unfavorable to standard roses. The hot sun scorches 

 and dries the tall, bare stem ; and the sharp cold of winter 

 frequently kills, and in almost every case greatly injures, 

 the budded rose at the top. It is only by using great and 

 very troublesome precaution that standards can here be 

 kept in a thriving condition. This may be done most 

 effectually by cutting or loosening the roots on one side, 

 laying the rose flat on the ground, and covering it during 

 winter under a ridge of earth. Some protection of the 

 stem from the hot sun of July and August can hardly be 

 dispensed with. 



With regard to the mounds of standard roses first men- 

 tioned, it is scarcely worth while to attempt them here ; 

 but a very good substitute is within our reach. By choos- 

 ing roses with a view to their different degrees of vigor, 

 planting the tall and robust kinds in the middle, and those 

 of more moderate growth in regular gradation around 

 them, we may imitate the French mounds without the 



